University of North Carolina at Asheville
FACULTY SENATE MEETING
Minutes, February 13, 1992
Senate
Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, L. Dorr, M. Gillum,
B. Greenawalt, A. Hantz, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski,
C. McClary, P. Nickless, S. Obergfell, J. Rackham,
B. Sabo, D. Van Engelen, L. Wilson
Absent: D. Mullen
Visitors: M. Fox (SGA), J. Garrett, D. Harmon, B. Yearout
I. Call to Order
The 1991-92 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, February 13, 1992,
in Karpen Hall - room 005. Alan Hantz, Chair, called the meeting to
order at 3:30 pm.
The next Senate meeting will be held on March 5th at 3:30 pm in
Karpen Hall - room 005.
II. Minutes
Dr. Hantz presented the January 16, 1992, minutes for approval.
The minutes were approved as written (Sabo\Rackham).
III. Executive Committee Report
Dr. Hantz gave the Executive Committee Report.
Summer School Salaries
The Executive Committee delegated summer school salary concerns
to the UPC.
Committee Structure
An analysis of UNCA's committee structure revealed that 55
committee chairs and other individuals currently report to VCAA Larry
Wilson. The committee structure will be discussed more fully at a
future Senate meeting.
Grade Points
At the last faculty meeting the number of decimal places used
in recording GPAs was discussed. Dr. Hantz received a memo from Bruce
Larson and Dot Sulock urging the Faculty Senate to take steps to
ensure that future deliberations of Honors Committee and faculty are
based on GPAs with no more than two decimal places. Dr. Wilson agreed
to remedy this problem.
Dr. Rackham made a motion of the sense of the Senate in support
of using two decimal places in GPAs. Dr. Nickless seconded the
motion, which passed by a vote of 10 to 0 with two abstentions.
IV. Faculty Assembly Report
Dr. Hantz gave the Faculty Assembly report.
Senate Chairs from across the state were invited to the last
Faculty Assembly meeting.
- Academic Calendar
Dr. Hantz received a 1991-92 Spring/Fall academic calendar for
all of the universities; copies will be mailed to Senators with the
next agenda and minutes. UNCA's Spring/Fall academic year is 31.5
weeks long, which is in the mid-range compared to other institutions.
East Carolina University had the shortest academic year with 30.8
weeks, and Winston-Salem State had the longest with 32.4 weeks.
- Performance Audit
WCU is still participating in a performance audit; President
Spangler reported that the legislators expect to take action based on
the results of the audit.
- Possible Credit Hour Change
Felix Joyner and President Spangler discussed the possibility
of converting to a 15 credit hour FTE. North Carolina is the only
state in the southeast with 12 credit hours as its base. Dr. Nickless
questioned how UNCA compares with the entire nation rather than the
southeast. Dr. Dorr was concerned that the numbers attached to the
FTE would cause a hardship for the university. Dr. Wilson stated that
the average credit load of UNCA students is 14.2. Felix Joyner
reported that the legislature is considering charging state students
the out-of-state rate if they take more than 128 hours. This would
have the unintended effect of discouraging double majors, majors and
minors, as well as part time students.
- Financial Priorities
President Spangler reported that salary increases for all state
employees and enrollment were the top financial priorities
respectively. The State anticipates having between $300-500M. $100M
will be allocated for public schools. The legislature wants to give a
4-6% increase to state employees; a 1% salary increase for all state
employees would be $50M. President Spangler urged everyone to contact
legislators and encourage them to support a bond issue for capital
projects.
- State Health Plan
The manager of the state health plan reported that the state
was changing to the preferred hospital plan and the new prescription
drug reimbursement policy due to a $50M shortfall.
- Faculty Welfare Gathering
A faculty welfare gathering will be held in June; Dr. Wilson
will take a delegation of two faculty members to GA. The topic is
"faculty vitality through professional development".
In response to a question from Dr. Henderson, Dr. Hantz stated
that the budget committee had no specific resolution for President
Spangler. In the Governance Committee meeting Dr. Hantz learned that
many faculty from across the state are very displeased with their
administrations and do not have any structures for faculty input.
- Memorandum One
Last summer President Spangler instructed the chancellors to
make Memorandum One available to faculty. This document concerns
average faculty salary ranges across the state. In the Governance
Committee Dr. Hantz learned that many institutions were not making
this document available to the faculty. Dr. Hantz asked Dr. Wilson to
see if he could find the document as this occurred last summer when
UNCA was in transition.
V. SGA Report
Upon invitation by the Executive Committee, Michelle Fox
reported for the SGA.
Monday, April 6th, is the tentative date for Greenfest. The
rain date is Friday, April 10th.
The SGA has converted half of the storage lockers into short-
term shortage in Carmichael, Zageir, and Highsmith. The lockers are
available for commuters to rent by the semester. There is a $10
refundable deposit and a $5 rental fee.
The SGA is preparing for student elections which will be held
in March.
VI. Academic Policies Committee Report
Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee.
- First Reading
Dr. Sabo distributed the following documents for first reading:
APC #10: Changes in Management
APC #11: Changes in Health & Fitness
APC #12: Changes in Chemistry Program Description
APC #13: Changes in Middle School Certification
APC #14: Changes in Mass Communication
APC #15: Changes in Early Examination Policy
APC #16: Research Course in Psychology
APC #17: Changes in Mathematics
APC #18: Creation of Library Research
APC #19: Prefix for Asheville Area Educational Consortium
Dr. Sabo suggested that Senators look carefully at APC #15, as
it makes a substantial change that is university-wide, as well as APC
#18, which was sent back to APC at an earlier senate meeting.
VII. Institutional Development Committee Report
There was no Institutional Development Committee report.
VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee
There was no Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report.
IX. Old Business
There was no Old Business.
X. Administrative Report
Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report.
Enrollment
Freshman applications for next year have decreased 8%, but the
number of students who have been accepted has increased 3-4%. Student
quality continues to substantially improve. A year ago at this time
the average SAT of accepted students was 1,038; at this time the
figure is 1,065. Last year 70% of accepted students were in the top-
fifth of their graduating class compared to 75% this year.
UNCA's target enrollment of 2,600 FTE has remained constant for
three years and has increased 50 from this year. It is possible that
UNCA may not reach the projected target as enrollment was slightly
below the 2% window this year. Also, UNCA will graduate more than 400
students this year. However, Ray Dawson can not remember an
institution being penalized for missing the enrollment target.
Adjuncts
The adjunct budget will remain about the same as last year.
UNCA has obtained some full time positions this year to replace people
who are leaving for various reasons.
National Endowment for the Humanities
UNCA is submitting a proposal to the National Endowment for the
Humanities for a endowed distinguished teaching professorship. The
$250K grant request includes the promise of a 3:1 match by UNCA.
Building Priorities
A Carolina alumni newsletter, reportedly giving the building
priorities for all of the universities, listed UNCA's priorities as:
(1) physical education center, (2) center for creative retirement, and
(3) the NC Arboretum. UNCA's actual priority list is as follows:
(1) completion of Ramsey library, (2) completion of Karpen Hall, and
(3) the physical education center. Chancellor Schuman is going to see
where the Carolina alumni obtained the inaccurate list.
Liberal Arts Reclassification
In response to a question by Dr. Rackham, Dr. Wilson reported
that UNCA's liberal arts reclassification request was still pending
before the Board of Governors. The Educational Policies Committee is
reviewing all of the recommendations from President Spangler for each
of the institutions and will probably address UNCA's request at the
Board of Governors meeting in March.
Off Campus Scholarly Assignments
Dr. Hantz learned at the Faculty Assembly meeting that
President Spangler has sent a memorandum to all the chancellors
announcing that he is reinstating limited paid research leaves.
XI. New Business
There was no New Business.
XII. Adjournment
Dr. Hantz adjourned the meeting at 4:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely
Bruce Greenawalt